Al-Musallam told members of World Aquatics' Extraordinary General Congress here that a decision over whether Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to return to international competition would be made by the "whole Olympic family" but not "at this moment".

His comments come three days after the Olympic Summit where it was agreed that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would explore a proposal by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to enable athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in its competitions.

The move is expected to be discussed in the next round of the IOC’s consultation calls with its members as well as athletes' representatives, International Federations and National Olympic Committees.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus have been banned from all events run by World Aquatics, formerly known as the International Swimming Federation (FINA), until the end of 2022 following a ruling made in March in response to the war in Ukraine.

Al-Musallam, who is the director general of the OCA, said that World Aquatics' sanctions against Russia and Belarus would continue with a decision yet to be made on their possible return.

"There is no decision in relation to the participation of Russian athletes at this moment," said Al-Musallam.

"There is a study as per the United Nations’ resolution that sport should be neutral and must be governed by the sports people.

"[In terms of the] participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes for the next Olympic Games, the whole Olympic family will decide about it but is not yet taking at this moment."

Al-Musallam was responding to calls made by Chrestyna Kmetj, who was speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian Swimming Federation.

Kmetj urged FINA to ensure athletes from Russia and Belarus remained banned.

"On behalf of the Ukrainian Swimming Federation, we apply with request to continue the FINA sanctions against Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials and to exclude them in any status from FINA events in 2023 and until the end of the invasion of Russian troops on the Ukrainian territory," said Kmetj.

Kmetj said the best swimming pool in Ukraine had been "destroyed or damaged" by Russian troops and "others cannot operate regularly due to Russian missiles hitting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure".

"Under such conditions, Ukrainian athletes and coaches are exposed to a threat to their lives, deprived of their rights and opportunities to train safely and cannot compete equally at FINA events," said Kmetj.

"At the same time, Russian and Belarusian athletes, many of whom are employees of police and military structures, support the aggressive actions and policies of their countries, which in fact is the genocide of Ukrainians.

"How can athletes and representatives of the aggressor country be allowed to participate in world and continental sports forums?

"This will be an excuse for the war crimes of their countries and a violation of the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport."

Kmetj claimed that the Russian Swimming Federation was "looking for support" in Asia by seeking Asia Swimming Federation membership.

"Our appeal is not political," added Kmetj.

"We are trying to draw attention to the principles of fair play in the aquatics family and the exclusion from participation in world and continental competitions representatives of nations whose actions harm the development of our sport."